Swim CEO Series: Chris DeJong on Fastest 400m Kick Ever, Big Blue Swim School

On SwimSwam Podcast, we’re giving you an in-depth listen at all things swimming. Host Coleman Hodges welcomes guests and guest co-hosts alike to get perspective on our ever-changing swimming universe and break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

We sat down with Chris DeJong, a Michigan team captain and elite swimmer who trained with the likes of Michael Phelps, Peter Vanderkaay, and Erik Vendt, to name a few. DeJong described the environment at practice in Ann Arbor leading up to the 2008 Olympics and even indulged in telling his epic story about Phelps buying him dinner for kicking the unofficial fastest time in history in a 400m kick – 4:56. DeJong also dives into his life after swimming, when he delved into the business side of swimming with Big Blue Swim Schools.

Check out Big Blue Swim Schools here.

Big Blue Swim School is a SwimSwam partner.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

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JSwims
3 years ago

I watched Joseph Schooling kick a 4:44 400m dolphin kick with a board. I don’t think anyone could ever touch that!

Last edited 3 years ago by JSwims
Ghost
3 years ago

To me it is weird that Michigan’s swimming got no ncaa trophies during his time when he was captains with PVK and Davis Tarwater. (Only 4 teams get a trophy).

Admin
Reply to  Ghost
3 years ago

They had a great crew of middle distance types. Their 800 finished 2nd at NCAAs in 2006. But…you’ve gotta have sprinters to win championships, and that’s where Michigan struggled. They were 17th in the 200 free relay in 2006 with Dejong and Vanderkay matching with 19.75s for the teams’ best times. Yes, 19.75 was still a good 50 free time back then, but there were already teams with four swimmers going 19.5 or better, plus multiple 18-second relay splits.

Coach A
Reply to  Braden Keith
3 years ago

didn’t they win it in 1997 without sprinters?

Admin
Reply to  Coach A
3 years ago

They were 7th in 1997. Auburn won in 1997. The Tigers had a few sprinters on that team…6 in the top 16 at NCAAs (big eyes emoji), including Brett Hawke.

Before 2013, their last win was in 1995. Gus Borges was a senior that year, so that’s the sprinter. We don’t have the full 1995 results yet (if anyone does, please send them over!) I don’t *think* they were all that deep in sprinters that year, not like Stanford and Texas were, but they were good enough for Dolan, Wouda, et al. to carry the rest of the load.

Ghost
Reply to  Braden Keith
3 years ago

They had some guys that could fill in on the sprints to help Borges but he was like have two studs on a relay. Jason Lancaster, Derya B were good enough. In 1995 Michigan was so dominant in 2free, 5free, 4im and mile that their relays didn’t have to be that great. Those results are so hard to find!

AASwim
3 years ago

Chris has built an empire from the ground up. These guys started in a small 4 lane pool at OLPH and have grown their business into a franchise.

Congrats Chris and John. Go Blue!

Zane
3 years ago
Zane
Reply to  Zane
3 years ago

Here’s a video of Charlie Houchin kicking a 4:56 long course at Bolles

Unknown Swimmer
Reply to  Zane
3 years ago

So seems like they are co-unofficial fastest 400m kickers

Sundevilzz
3 years ago

Zach Poti could have kicked it faster no doubt in my mind. Kid could cruise 35’s LCM w a board

Ghost
Reply to  Sundevilzz
3 years ago

Bob coached Zach also so let him chime in. He probably had a 400 for time kick here and there! Kicking back is a bit different…easier to “cheat”.

DSswim
3 years ago

Is it just me or 4:56 doesn’t seem that fast for the worlds fastest 400 kick.(No hate or anything just a thought I had)

IUkicker
Reply to  DSswim
3 years ago

It was meters

Gator
3 years ago

What was the 400M kick time?

DSswim
Reply to  Gator
3 years ago

4:56

Le monke
Reply to  DSswim
3 years ago

Definetly not the fastest ever also depends on the stroke but I’m willing to bet some college swimmers who have never done this could beat it in backstroke kick, butterfly, or free.

Ghost
3 years ago

Coleman, you attached wrong link

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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